Eight Arrested, 25 Identified After Student Protest in Sopore Over Harassment Allegations

Sopore : Police on Tuesday said eight persons have been arrested and 25 others identified for their involvement in vandalism during a student protest in Sopore town of north Kashmir’s Baramulla district, adding that strict action is being taken against those disturbing public order.

The protest erupted on Monday after a girl student accused a lecturer of harassment, triggering demonstrations by students who blocked roads and resorted to stone-pelting at some locations.

A police official said the situation was later brought under control after authorities assured the protesting students that justice would be ensured. “Eight miscreants have been arrested and 25 others identified for their involvement in vandalism during the protest,” the official said.

Senior Superintendent of Police Sopore, Iftikhar Talib, said a case has been registered against the accused lecturer and an investigation has been initiated based on the student’s complaint.

The accused, identified as Ghulam Hassan Mir, a Senior Lecturer in Urdu at Government Higher Secondary School Sopore, has been suspended with immediate effect pending inquiry.

Meanwhile, the Directorate of School Education Kashmir (DSEK) has attached the lecturer to Boys Higher Secondary School Badugam in Gurez, Bandipora. An official order stated that the Joint Director (North) has been appointed as the inquiry officer and has been directed to submit a report within 15 days.

Students had taken to the streets demanding strict action against the lecturer following the allegations, leading to disruptions in the town before authorities intervened.